Scout Sunday-Sabbath

From MeritBadgeDotOrg

The Boy Scouts of America designates the Sunday that falls before February 8 as Scout Sunday. or Scout Sabbath. However, a chartered organization or local religious organization may choose to celebrate on another day. For instance, the Presbyterian Church and United Methodist Church celebrate Scout Sunday on the second Sunday of February so as to not conflict with Communion Sunday and in the Jewish faith, Scout Sabbath is celebrated on the Saturday after February 8 as Scouting Anniversary Day.

Scout Sabbath

Scout Sabbath offers an opportunity for worshippers to honor Scouts and Scouters, as well as to learn more themselves about the value of Scouting as a youth program chartered to a Jewish organization. It gives a rabbi a framework to address Scouts directly, in addition to speaking about Scouting to the congregation.

Some rabbis use regular liturgy and supplement it with special reading. Others devote the entire worship services to Scouting themes, using Scouts and Scouters as readers. There is no "one right way " to conduct such a service. Most rabbis understand the purpose to be a strengthening of the bonds between the synagogue and the Scouting unit and plan accordingly.

A variety of Scouting-related resources, prayers, and readings are available:

Scout's Own Worship Service

The Scout's Own Worship Service is an interfaith service such as those above. It is a brief worship or meditation, specifically designed for Scouting events where there may be members of more than one faith group. The intention of an interfaith service (formerly known as a Scouts’ Own) is to provide a spiritual focus during a camping experience that does not reflect the views of a particular denomination or faith. An interfaith service can be defined as a gathering of Scouts held to contribute to the development of their spirituality and to promote a fuller understanding of the Scout Oath and Law, with emphasis on one’s Duty to God. Let’s take a look at what this definition means.

An interfaith service is a gathering of Scouts consistent with the 12th point of the Scout Law. This can be in groups as small as two or as large as a world Scout jamboree, though groups of a few patrols work best. In smaller groups, Scouts are able to get involved, share their experiences, and learn that spirituality is something that affects everyone.

An interfaith service is held for the development of the Scouts’ spirituality. Spirituality is that which is beyond the material, that which gives meaning and direction to one’s life. Scouting is primarily concerned with how people live out their beliefs in everyday life.

Scout Sunday Suggestions

If your Unit is not chartered to a religious organization, choose a church for your Unit to attend together in uniform. However, not all religions that sponsor a Scout troop promote wearing the uniform to church. For instance, the LDS Scout Sunday guideline states, "February has traditionally been designated as Scouting Month in the United States. Leaders of Scouting units chartered by the Church may plan and carry out approved activities to recognize this tradition. However, in keeping with the purposes of Sabbath observance, boys and leaders do not wear their uniforms to regular Sunday meetings or while administering and passing the sacrament."